Open AccessExperimental investigation in nodal aberration theory (NAT) with a customized Ritchey-Chrétien system: third-order coma
Author(s) -
Nan Zhao,
Jonathan C. Papa,
Kyle Fuerschbach,
Yanfeng Qiao,
Kevin P. Thompson,
Jannick P. Rolland
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.26.008729
Subject(s) - zernike polynomials , telescope , optics , coma (optics) , physics , ray tracing (physics) , hexapod , residual , interferometry , computer science , wavefront , artificial intelligence , algorithm , robot
Nodal aberration theory (NAT) describes the aberration properties of optical systems without symmetry. NAT was fully described mathematically and investigated through real-ray tracing software, but an experimental investigation is yet to be realized. In this study, a two-mirror Ritchey-Chrétien telescope was designed and built, including testing of the mirrors in null configurations, for experimental investigation of NAT. A feature of this custom telescope is a high-precision hexapod that controls the secondary mirror of the telescope to purposely introduce system misalignments and quantify the introduced aberrations interferometrically. A method was developed to capture interferograms for multiple points across the field of view without moving the interferometer. A simulation result of Fringe Zernike coma was generated and analyzed to provide a direct comparison with the experimental results. A statistical analysis of the measurements was conducted to assess residual differences between simulations and experimental results. The interferograms were consistent with the simulations, thus experimentally validating NAT for third-order coma.